Stair steps gripper

ABSTRACT

A stair steps gripper for permanently covering the carpet on the stair steps to prevent it to wear out and becoming dirty, the stair steps gripper comprising a walking zone in the center having an anti-skid surface on the top and spikes on its lower surface for penetrating into a underlying carpet.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0001] Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a small carpet runner adapted to be installed on stair steps, separately on each step, especially stairs located inside of a house. In general inside the house the stairway is covered with carpet for ornamental, flexibility and thermal insulation. The carpet on the steps become worn away more quickly than the carpet in the house and also dirties much easily. The area where the carpet is worn out and become dirty is located in the center of the stairs. The cleaning and changing of the carpet on the steps is very expensive and many times the new carpet doesn't match the old carpet in the house. The tendency is to install a narrow piece of carpet runner, made from plastic or tread, as one unit body from the top to the bottom of the stairs fixed by stair rods or screws, but it brings into existence undesirable dispersion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is the principal object of the invention to provide a stair steps gripper witch can protect the carpet on the steps and provide an anti-skid cushioned surface with an excellent flexibility and ornamental effect. This is generally achieved by covering a piece of semi-rigid plastic material, provided with short spikes on one side, with an antiskid and cushion material, having ornamental properties. Another purpose of this invention is to provide a stair steps gripper witch can be very easy installed on each step of the stair, witch is clear of the undesirable dispersion. Using this invention will prevent the carpet wear out, dirt on the steps and injury, due to skidding, is reduced to minimum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a stair steps gripper.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 2-2 in FIG. 1

[0007]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 4-4 in FIG. 3

[0009]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the stair steps gripper.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 6-6 in FIG. 5

[0011]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 1

[0012]FIG. 8A is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 8-8 in FIG. 7

[0013]FIG. 8B is a modification of FIG. 8A indicated by the section line 8-8 in FIG. 7

[0014]FIG. 9 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 9-9 in FIG. 7

[0015]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base.

[0016]FIG. 11A is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 11-11 in FIG. 10

[0017]FIG. 11B is a modification of FIG. 11A indicated by the section line 11-11 in FIG. 10

[0018]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 7

[0019]FIG. 13 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 13-13 in FIG. 12

[0020]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 7

[0021]FIG. 15A is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 15-15 in FIG. 14

[0022]FIG. 15B is a modification of FIG. 15A indicated by the section line 15-15 in FIG. 14

[0023]FIG. 16 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 16-16 in FIG. 14

[0024]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 12

[0025]FIG. 18A is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 18-18 in FIG. 17

[0026]FIG. 18B is a modification of FIG. 18A indicated by the section line 18-18 in FIG. 17

[0027]FIG. 18C is a modification of FIG. 18A indicated by the section line 18-18 in FIG. 17

[0028]FIG. 19 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section line 19-19 in FIG. 17

[0029]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 10

[0030]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 10

[0031]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of FIG. 10

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0032]51—Runner

[0033]52—Adhesive

[0034]53—Surging

[0035]54—Spike

[0036]55—Rigidity serrations

[0037]56—Front edge

[0038]57—Curved edge

[0039]58—Anti-skid serrations

[0040]59—L-shape fixture

[0041]60—Base

[0042]61—Anti-skid material

[0043]62—Hole

[0044]63—U-shape fixture

[0045]64—Double edge

[0046]65—Edge cover

[0047]66—S-shape edge

[0048]67—L-shape edge

[0049]68—Carpet

[0050]69—Stairs

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] Description—FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4—Preferred Embodiment

[0052] A preferred embodiment of the stair steps gripper of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The invention has a base 60 made from semi-rigid plastic material with short but relatively sharp spikes 54 on its lower surface for penetrating into an underlying carpet 68. The vinyl plastic used to fabricate the base 60 is semi-rigid, liquid-impervious, plastic material having a predetermined durometer rating on a Rockwell C scale sufficiently high to provide enough rigidity for the base 60. The base 60 can be cut in any predetermined lengths and widths at a cutting station during the fabrication process as the formed roll leaves the forming stations. However, the base 60 can consist of any other material that can satisfy the condition of rigidity on a Rockwell C scale like polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, nylon, various impregnated or laminated fibrous materials, various plasticized materials, cardboard, paper, etc. The thickness of the base 60 can be typically 2 mm to 4 mm and the overall dimensions depends of the applications. The color of the base 60 can be clear, semi-transparent or colored plastic to give ornamental variations to the carpet 68. The outer four corners of the base 60 are typically beveled or rounded to avoid snagging and personal injury. The base 60 can be cut in various shapes for example rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, semi-circular, elliptic, semi-elliptic, etc. The runner 51, shown partially peeled back, is a common carpet, a short or deep pile carpet, a foot cloth or felt and can be cut in the same various shapes like the gripper. The edges of the runner 51 are protected against frying by surging 53, or covering the edges with a plastic sheet, a cloth, etc. The overall dimensions of the runner 51 can be smaller equal or bigger than the size of the base 60 because the same invention can be used to hold in place a foot cloth or a small decorative rug on the carpet. The connection between the base 60 and the runner 51 is made by an adhesive 52 witch enables the base 60 and the runner 51 to form the stair steps gripper. The adhesive 52 can be a latex adhesive, synthetic resin, adhesive tape with a good adherence and flexibility to plastic and carpet. FIG. 2 show a view in detail along its cross-section 2-2 of the front edge 56 for the base 60. The base 60 is provided on the upper surface with rigidity serrations 55 to increase rigidity and on the lower surface spikes 54 designed to secure the base 60 on the carpet 68. FIG. 3 show the preferred embodiment for the base 60 and a view in detail along its longitudinal cross-section 4-4 characterized in that the walking zone on the center has the same thickness like the edge zone.

[0053] FIGS. 5-22 Additional Embodiments

[0054]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a modified embodiment of the Stair steps gripper of FIG. 1 with the runner 51 partially peeled back, which is provided with curved serrations 58 on the upper surface. FIG. 6 is a view in detail along its cross-section 6-6 of the corner surface.

[0055]FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B and 9 show a modified embodiment of the stair steps gripper of FIG. 1 with the runner 51 partially peeled back, which is adapted to the stairs made from hard wood or concrete. The modified embodiment has a base 60 without spikes on the lower surface. The stair steps gripper can be attached in the back of each step with screws through the holes 62, from the base 60, and the L-shape fixture 59. FIG. 8A is a view in detail along its cross-section 8-8 (FIG. 7) characterized in that the base 60 have a strait edge 56 in the front and holes 62 in the back. To increase the anti-skid effect the lower surface (FIG. 8B) can be covered with rubber or another material with anti-skid properties 61. FIG. 9 is a view in detail along its cross-section 9-9 (FIG. 7) of the L-shape fixture 59.

[0056]FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B show the modified embodiment for the base 60 of FIG. 3. FIG. 11A is a view in detail along its longitudinal cross-section 11-11 characterized in that the walking zone in the center have the same thickness like the edge zone. FIG. 11B is a modified version of the section 11-11 characterized in that the edge zones have a greater thickness than the central walking zone.

[0057]FIGS. 12 and 13 show a modified embodiment of FIG. 7, with the runner 51 partially peeled back, which is provided with a curved edge 57 and anti-skid serrations 58 in the front. FIG. 13 is a view in detail along its cross-section 13-13 characterized in a curved edge 57 with anti-skid serrations 58 in the front and anti-skid material 61 on the lower surface.

[0058]FIGS. 14, 15A, 15B and 16 show a modified embodiment of FIG. 7, with the runner 51 partially peeled back, which is provided with a double edge 64 and a U-shape fixture 63 in the back. FIG. 15A is view in detail along its cross-section 15-15 characterized in that the base 60 has a double edge 64 in the back and a strait edge 56 in the front. FIG. 15B is a modified version of the section in FIG. 15A characterized in a covered lower surface with an anti-skid material 61 to increase the anti-skid effect. FIG. 16 is a view in detail along its cross-section 16-16 of the U-shape fixture 63.

[0059]FIGS. 17, 18A, 18B, 18C and 19 show a modified embodiment of FIG. 12, with the runner partially peeled back, which is provided with a double edge 64, a U-shape fixture 63 in the back and a edge cover 65 in the front. FIG. 18A is a view in detail along its cross section 18-18 which is provided with a curved edge 56, in the front, and anti-skid material 61, on the lower surface. FIG. 18B is a modified version of the section in FIG. 18A characterized in a S-shape edge 66, in the front. FIG. 18C is a modified version of the section in FIG. 18A characterized in a L-shape edge 67, in the front. FIG. 19 is a view in detail along its cross-section 19-19 of the edge cover 65.

[0060]FIGS. 20 and 21 is a further modification of the base 60 showed in FIG. 10 characterized in supplemental double edges 64 on the sides. In FIG. 20 the side edges are going from thick to flush with the front edge. In FIG. 21 the side edges have the same thickness from the back to the front edge and in the front the corners are rounded or beveled.

[0061]FIG. 22 is a further modification of the base 60 showed in FIG. 10 characterized in double edge 64 on the sides.

[0062] Altough exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purpose, it will be understood that various minor changes, modifications and substitutions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. A stair steps gripper for covering the carpet on the stair steps to prevent it from becoming wear out prematurely and dirty, the stair steps gripper comprising a walking zone in the center having an anti-skid surface on the top and spikes on the bottom surface and a strait front edge.
 2. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 1 in which the base is composed of semi-rigid plastic and spikes on the bottom surface.
 3. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 1 in which the runner has an anti-skid surface.
 4. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 1 in which the front edge is curved and has an anti-skid surface.
 5. A stair steps gripper for covering the steps made from hard wood or concrete, the stair steps gripper comprising a walking zone in the center having an anti-skid surface on the top and an anti-skid material in the lower surface and a strait front edge.
 6. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 5 in which the front edge is curved and has a serrated surface.
 7. A stair steps gripper as defined in claims 5 and 6 in which the lower surface is uncovered with anti-skid material.
 8. A stair steps gripper as defined in claims 5 and 6 in which the base has a double edge in the back.
 9. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 5 and 6 in which the base is secured on the floor by an L-shaped fixture in the back.
 10. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which the front edge is curved and has a serrated surface.
 11. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which the base is secured on the floor by an U-shaped fixture in the back.
 12. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which an U-shape fixture in the back and an edge cover in the front secure the base on the floor.
 13. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which the front edge is S-shaped and has a serrated surface.
 14. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which the front edge is L-shaped and has a serrated surface.
 15. A stair steps gripper as defined in claims 10, 13 and 14 in which the front edge is uncovered with a serrated surface.
 16. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 12 in which the front edge is unsecured with an edge cover.
 17. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which the double edge is continued on the sides.
 18. A stair steps gripper as defined in claim 8 in which the double edge is just on the sides.
 19. A stair steps gripper as defined in claims 1-18 in which the overall dimensions of the runner can be smaller, equal or bigger than the overall dimensions of the base. 